Apparatus for manufacturing bricks



Jan. 20, 1942. N. w. HELM 2,270,834

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKS Filed March '11, 1940' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6'? Alea/ 14. fie/m Woman Jan. 20, 1942. N. w. HELM 2,270,834

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKS Filed March 11, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11 II Ill 11/ III] III grvuc/wbo'v Neal IV l/e/m Patented Jan. 20, 1942 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKS Neal W. Helm, Caruthersville, Mo. Application March 11, 1940, Serial No. 323,413

I Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for manufacturing bricks.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved brick-making apparatus which is simple in construction and whichis readily portable, whereby the bricks may be manufactured at the place of use which obviates the necessity of hauling or transporting said bricks from a manufacturing plant to the various places where said Figure 2 is a plan view thereof, bricks are used in construction work. Figure 3 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical,

An important object of the invention is to prosectional view, taken on the line 33 of Figvide an improved brick-making apparatus which ure 2, is automatic in its operation and which has a Figure 4 is an enlarged, horizontal cross-seccapacity sufficient to furnish enough bricks for tional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, the ordinary or usual construction job on which Figures 5 to 7 are enlarged, vertical sectional it is employed. views, illustrating the various operating positions Another object of the invention is to provide of the shuttle means. an improved apparatus, of the character de- Figure 8 is an isometric view of the end of the scribed, having a shuttle means for moving a shuttle means, plurality of pallets or forms successively beneath Figure 9 is an isometric view of the press ram a feed hopper and then beneath a press, the lator block, and ter serving to apply pressure to the material in Figure 10 is a partial view of a wall constructthe forms to shape the brick; the press and shuted of the bricks formed by the apparatus. tle means being synchronized in their actuation, In the drawings, the numeral I0 designates a whereby an automatic and continuous operation frame or support which is formed of a pair of is had. longitudinal angle bars II which extend parallel Still another object of the invention is to proto each other. Inclined legs I2 have their upper vide a brick-forming apparatus wherein a pluends secured to the ends of the bars I I and suprality of angular forms or pallets are movable port the frame at the desired height. The lower, between confining members and into position beends of each pair of legs may be connected by neath a press, the forms being disposed in a braces I3 which reinforce and strengthen the single line with adjacent forms in engagement, same. An elongate plate I4 is supported on the whereby the angular forms co-act with each angle bars II, being suitably secured thereto as other and with the confining members to form by Welding, and the ends of the plate extend bemolds into which the brick material is introyond the extremities of the frame, as is clearly duced; the arrangement of the angular forms shown in Figures 1 and 2. This plate is relamaking it possible to employ a single actuator tively narrow in width and forms a working table for imparting movement to all of said forms. or platform.

A further object of the invention is to provide A pair of channel bars I5 are secured to the an improved apparatus, of the character delongitudinal edge portions of the platform and scribed, wherein the angular forms are unconthe channels extend parallel to each other. One nected from each other, being merely in contact end of each channel is located above the end of with each other, said forms being mpvable, sucthe angle bar I I of the frame, while the other end cessively, beneath the press which enters the thereof terminates short of the opposite end of form topress the material therein; the apparatus said frame (Fig. 1). The channel bars I5, toincluding means for locking the unconnected gether with the plate I4, form an elongate trough forms against movement during the pressing opor guideway I 6. eration, whereby proper forming of each brick is A supporting structure or-framework is mountassured. 5 ed above one end of the plate or table I4 and in- A particular object of the invention is to procludes horizontally extending angle members I! vide an apparatus of the character described, which are secured to the upper ends of vertical wherein each form, as well as the press ram, are standards I8. In addition to the standards, four so constructed that the finished brick formed by angle bars I9 (Fig. 2) connect the channels to these parts has the longitudinal edges of its outer the members I'I. Each pair of angle bars I 9 have end rounded or chamfered, whereby when ema flat plate 20 welded, or otherwise secured theree ployed in building construction, sharp edges are to, and the space between the plates provides'a eliminated and danger of breaking or cracking vertical guide for a Dr ss ram or block 2|. The such edges is obviated. ram is movable vertically between the guide so A construction designed to carry out the inven- 0 f rmed, and is arranged to move downwardly be tion Willbe hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichan example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure, 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention,

1 channel elements 28} tween the'channels l5 which form the trough It.

-The ram or block has a flat bottom and one transverse edge of said bottom is provided with an elongate lip 01' flange 22 which depends in a plane therebelow (Fig. 9). The upper end of the ram or block has .an upstanding ear 23, and the lower end of a vertically reciprocable, rod 24 is pivotally connected to said ear.

The upper end of the rod extends upwardly between the angle members ll (Figure 3) and is pivoted to one end of an operating lever 25. The lever is mounted on a transverse shaft 26 which spans the space between the members I1 and has its ends journaled in bearings 23, which bearings are supported on, and secured to, short These channel elements rest upon and are preferably Welded to the top of the angle members ll.

The lever'25 overlies the space between the angle bars l and has a weight a secured to its other end. The weight urges the lever downwardly into engagement with the periphery of a cam 29 which is mounted on a rotatable shaft 31] and which is located beyond the pivot shaft 26 of the lever. The shaft extends transversely between the angle members I1 and has its ends journaled in bearing collars 3| which are bolted to the top of said members (Fig. 3) One end of the shaft projects through its bearing colllar and has a gear 32 keyed, or otherwise secured thereon. The gear is in constant mesh with a drive pinion 33 which is secured on a rotatable shaft 34. The shaft is mounted in bearing collars 351i which rest upon the angle members IT and one end of said shaft has a drive pulley or wheel 36, over which an endless drive belt 3! extends. The belt is driven from any suitable source (not shown) and serves to rotate the drive pulley to rotate the pinion 33.

Rotation of the pinion 33 imparts a rotation to the gear 32, whereby the cam shaft 3t, and cam 29 mounted thereon, are rotated. Since the outer end of the lever 25 is in constantengagement with the periphery of the cam, being held so by the Weight 25a, a rotation of said cam swings said lever, whereby the rod 24' secured to the lever is reciprocated vertically. The lower end of the rod is fastened to the press ram or block 2i and reciprocation of said rod results in a reciprocation of the ram within its guide formed by the plates 20. The length and mounting of the lever, as well as the size of the cam 29, are such that the press ram or block moves from the position shown in dotted lines to the position shown in full lines in Figure 3, and back again to the dotted line position, during one complete revolution of said cam. The formation of the cam is such that the press ram is in its lowermost position between the channels 115 during a minor portion of the cam rotation.

A plurality of forms or pallets 38 are movable along the plate or table M and beneath the press ram or block 2 l, as will be explained. Each form comprises an angle member having a horizontal flange 39 and a vertical flange til (Fig; 8) The flanges are integral at the intersection of such flanges a fillet 35a, is provided whereby a sharp corner at such intersection is eliminated. The width of each member 38 is substantially equal to the transverse width of the trough or guideway 16 formed by the channels l5, whereby said member has its ends slidably engaging said channels. The height of the vertical flange 49 of each angle 33 is substantially equal to the height of the channel bars l5 and manifestly,

when a plurality of the angular forms are placed within the trough or guideway, they co-act with each other and with the channels to provide a plurality of rectangular shaped open-top molds, which are adapted to receive the material of which the bricks are to be formed.

For introducing the material into the molds, a hopper M is mounted on the channels l5 and spans said channels, said hopper having a discharge opening 2 in its bottom. The hopper may be supplied with material from a chute 4-3 which extends from a suitable source of supply. The forms 38 are movable along the table or plate i i in a direction to the left in Figure 3, and obviously, said forms first pass beneath discharge opening of the hopper to receive the material therefrom and then move beneath the press ram or block 2!, which applies pressure to said material to shape the same into a brick. It is noted that any suitable material, such as ce ment, concrete or the like may be employed and it is preferable to use a relatively dry mix so that the material introduced into the forms is not too liquid and will not flow freely of its own accord.

For successively moving each form 38 beneath the press ram 2|, a shuttle plate 44 (Fig. 5 to 8) is mounted on one end of the table M and is capable'of a limited sliding or reciprocating movement longitudinally thereof. The shuttle plate is secured to a transverse bar it by means of vertical pins t6, which pins extend through longitudinal slots 41 provided in the table. The bar is disposed below the table M and has its ends projecting through slots or openings 43 in the angle bars H of the support It]. The bar 45 may move or reciprocate within the slots 58 and when so moved, imparts a reciprocation to the shuttle plate M, said plate being guided by the pins 46 moving through the slots '37.

Each projecting end of the bar 45 has one end of an elongate connecting rod 49 pivoted thereto and the other end of each rod is pivotally secured to a crank arm 50 (Figs. 1 and 2). The crank arms 58 are keyed, or otherwise fastened on the ends of the cam shaft 32 and manifestly, when the cam shaft is rotated to actuate the press ram, as has been explained, the shuttle plate Mi is reciprocated through the medium of the crank arms 50, connecting rods 49 and reciproeating bar 45. The construction of the cam and the arrangement of the crank arms, and their associate parts, are such as to synchronize the operation of the press ram with the reciprocation of the shuttle means.

The outer end of the shuttle plate (it is movable through clips or stop lugs 5| (Fig. 8) which overhang the marginal portions of the plate and which are rigidly fastened to the table It. When the forms 38 are placed on the table, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the edge of one of said forms,

indicated at A in Figure 5, is adjacent the innerl In the operation of the apparatus, assuming the shuttle plate 44 to be in the position shown in Figure 5, the press ram or block 2 l 'is in the posi tion shown in dotted lines. in Figure 3. As the cam 29 rotates in a counter clockwise direction,

the operating lever is swung on its pivot 26, whereby the press block 2| is moved downwardly into the mold which is provided by the forms 38 located below the block. As the press block moves downwardly into this mold, said block applies a pressure to the material which is disposed within said mold and presses said material into the proper shape. By observing Figure 3, it will be seen that when the block has moved to its lowermost position, the material has been pressed into the shape of a brick and due to the curved lip 22 at one longitudinal edge of the block, the upper longitudinal edge of the brick is rounded, rather than angular. One of the lower longitudinal edges of the brick is also rounded in a similar manner due to the fillet 38a which is formed on each angle form 38. Thus, two corners of the brick, are rounded and these corners are on the outer face of the wall, when the bricks are assembled to form such wall as is clearly shown in Figure 10. The two rounded corners or edges on each brick not only give the finished wall a better appearance, but also prevent chipping or breaking oif of these corners after the wall is complete.

During the time that the press ram or block 2| is moving downwardly within the mold to press the material therein into a proper shape, the crank arms and connecting rods 49 are moving the operating bar 45 laterally through its slot 48 whereby a movement is imparted to the shuttle plate 44. The direction of movement of the shuttle plate is to the right in Figures 5 to '7, whereby said plate moves outwardly with relation to the table l4. As has been explained, when the plate is in the position shown in Figure 5, one of the angle forms A is abutting the inner edge of said plate and upon movement of the plate, this edge moves away from such angle A. To prevent this angle from following the plate 44 as the same moves outwardly on the table, a pair of spring-pressed latches or dogs 52 are provided. These dogs are mounted on ears 53 which extend outwardly from the channel members I5, as is fully shown in Figures 2 and 4. One end of each dog or latch extends inwardly through an opening 54 provided in the channel [5 and this end is formed with a keeper 55. The opposite end of the latch is urged outwardly away from the channel 15 by means of a coiled spring 56, whereby the keeper 55 is urged into the path of the angular forms 38.

As each angle 38 moves past the keepers 55 oi the latches 52, said latches are depressed so as to permit the angle to pass thereby. Obviously,

after the vertical flange 40 of the angle moves past the keeper, the spring 56 automatically moves the keeper in behind said flange and prevents the flange from moving in a direction to the right in the FiguresS to '7.

As the shuttle plate 44 moves away from the angle A, as shown in Figure 6, its inner end is slid from beneath the next angle indicated at A, whereby said angle may fall downwardly onto the table l4. By the time the press block 2| has shaped the material within the mold therebelow and has returned upwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, the shuttle plate 44 has completed its outward movement, as shown in Figure 7. At this time, the angle A has moved downwardly onto the table, whereby the edge of its horizontal flange 39 is adjacent the edge of the shuttle plate 44. Due to the control of the shuttle plate 44 by the crank arm 50, said plate then moves inwardly on the table and back which have been formed, together to the position shown in Figure 5. As it moves to such position, its inner end engages the angle A and pushes the same to the left on the table l4. The movement imparted to this end angle A is transmitted through the other angles, whereby all of said angles are moved on the table. Movement of the shuttle plate continues until the angle A has moved to the position past the latches 52, whereby the angle A then assumes the position which the angle A has in Figure 5. Of course, when the shuttle plate has moved inwardly its entire distance, there is a space between the end angle B and the fixed clips 5| and into this space another angle is introduced, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 5.

The movement of the shuttle plate 44 is such that the next mold is moved beneath the press ram or block 2| and after the plate has completed its movement, the cam 29 has again moved to a position ready to lower the press block into the next succeeding mold. In this manner, the press block is synchronized in its operation with the reciprocation of the shuttle plate and the operation is entirely automatic. 'Since the feed hopper 4| is disposed in advance of the press block 2|, it will be obvious that each mold is filled with the material as it passes beneath said hopper and prior to its movement beneath the press block. The end of the table I4, whichmay be termed the discharge end, is disposed in horizontal alinement with a conveyor belt 51, which belt may be mounted on pulley 5B and may be driven by any suitable means. As the bricks with the angle forms 38, move off of the table I4, they move onto the conveyor belt 51 which may take said bricks and angles to any suitable point.

From the above, it will be seen that a simple a and efiicient brick manufacturing apparatus is provided. The device is readily portable, whereby it may be moved onto the job where the bricks are to be used. The use of the machine obviates the necessity of hauling or transporting brick necessary for the particular work. All of the operating parts of the mechanism are driven from a single drive or source of power which may be an engine, motor or other prime mover. Obviously, the forms or angles 38, as well as the transverse width of the trough l6 may be varied to vary the size of the mold, as desired.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A brick manufacturing apparatus including, a stationary support, upstanding sides on said support forming a trough, a plurality of angular unconnected elements movable through the trough and arranged in abutting relation with each other, said elements co-aCting with each other and with the sides to provide substantially rectangular molds, means for introducing a cementitious material into the molds, a press ram mounted above the support adjacent said means and movable downwardly so as to enter the mold therebeneath to press the material therein into the proper shape, a shuttle plate reciprocable on one end of the support adapted to receive the elements and dispose the same upon said support, said plate being arranged to engage the angular element at thefend of the row of elements on the support, whereby when the plate is moved on the support, asliding, movement is imparted to all of the'elements; the movement of the plate being such that up'onthe inward travel thereof, one of the molds formed by the elements is moved from beneath the press ram and the next successive mold is moved into position therebeneath, the shuttle plate being adapted to receive additional angular elements thereon, and means for holding the elements on the shuttle plate stationary during outward movement of the plate, whereby upon such outward movement the plate slides from beneath the element at the inner end of the plate and said element drops onto the support at the end of the row of elements on such support, thereby being added to said row and forming another mold.

2. A brick manufacturing apparatus including, a stationary support, upstanding sides on said support forming a trough, a plurality of angular unconnected elements movable through the trough and arranged in abutting relation with each other, said elements co-acting with each other and with the sides to provide substantially rectangular molds, means for introducing a cementious material into the molds, a press ram mounted above the support and movable downwardly so as to enter the mold therebeneath to press the material therein into the proper shape, a shuttle plate reciprocable on one end of the support adapted to receive the elements and dispose the same upon said support, said plate being arranged to engage the angular element at the end of the row of elements on the support, whereby when the plate is moved on the support, a sliding movement is imparted to all of the elements, the movement of the plate being such that upon the inward travel thereof, one of the molds formed by the elements is moved from beneath the press ram and the next successive mold is moved into position therebeneath, the shuttle plate being adapted to receive additional angular elements thereon, means for holding the elements on the shuttle plate stationary during outward movement of the plate, whereby upon such outward movement the plate slides from beneath the element at the inner end of the plate and said element drops onto the support at the end of the row of elements on such support, thereby being added to said row and forming another mold, a latch means for preventing the movement of the row of angular elements on the support while the shuttle plate is moving outwardly to dispose another element on the support.

3. A brick manufacturing apparatus including, a stationary support, upstanding sides on said support forming a trough, a plurality of angular unconnected elements movable through the trough and arranged in abutting relation with each other, said elements co-acting with each other and with the sides to provide substantially rectangular molds, means for introducing a cementitious material into the molds, each element forming the entire bottom and one longitudinal wall of one of said molds, a press ram mounted above the support and movable downwardly so as to enter the mold therebeneath to press the material therein into the proper shape. a shuttle plate reciprocable on one end of the support adapted to receive the elements and dispose the same upon said support, said plate being arranged to engage the angular element at the end of the row of elements on the support,

whereby when the plate is moved on the support; a sliding movement is imparted to all of the elements, the movement of the plate being such that upon the inward travel thereof, one of the molds formed by the elements is moved from beneath the press ram and the next successive mold is moved into position therebeneath, the shuttle plate being adapted to receive additional angular elements thereon, means for holding the elements on the shuttle plate stationary during outward movement of the plate, whereby upon such outward movement the plate slides from beneath the element at the inner end of the plate and said element drops onto the support at the end of the row of elements on such support, thereby being added to said row and forming another mold, latch means for preventing the movement of the row of angular elements on the support while the shuttle plate is moving outwardly to dispose another element on the support, and means for synchronizing the actuation of the press ram with the shuttle plate, whereby said ram moves downwardly into the mold therebelow when the shuttle plate is moving outwardly and also whereby said ram is raised out of the mold during inward movement of the plate.

l. As a sub-combination in an apparatus, of the character described, a shuttle mechanism including, a flat stationary support, a shuttle plate reciprocable on the support and having its inner end adapted to engage an angular form element on the support to impart movement thereto upon inward movement, said plate being arranged to receive a plurality of angular independent elements thereon and dispose the same upon said support, and a fixed stop on the support and engaging the outermost element on the plate for holding the elements on said plate during outward movement thereof, whereby upon such outward movement of the plate the innermost element may fall therefrom and into position on said support so that upon the next successive inward movement of the plate, the element is slid along the support.

5. A brick manufacturing apparatus including, a stationary support, upstanding sides on said support forming a trough, a plurality of angular unconnected elements movable through the trough and arranged in abutting relation with each other, said elements co-acting' with each other and with the sides to provide substantially rectangular molds, means for introducing a cementitious material into the molds, a press ram mounted above the support and movable downwardly so as to enter the mold therebeneath to press the material therein into the proper shape, a shuttle plate reciprocable on one end of the support adapted to receive the elements and dispose the same upon said support, said plate being arranged to engage the angular element at the end of the row of elements on the support, whereby when the plate is moved on the support, a sliding movement is imparted to all of the elements, the movement of the plate being such that upon the inward travel thereof, one of the molds formed by the elements is moved from beneath the press ram and the next successive mold is moved into position therebeneath, the shuttle plate being adapted to receive additional angular elements thereon, and latch means for preventing the movement of the row of angular elements on the support while the shuttle plate is moving outwardly to dispose another element on the support.

' NEAL W. HELM. 

